Ford Explorer Complaints (2002)

3,572 consumer complaints on file.

#10560606January 20, 2014
POWER TRAIN
THIS 5R55W TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 108,890 MILES FOR $3500 WHILE MY DAUGHTER LIVED AT COLLEGE. I PURCHASED A 3-YEAR 36,000 MILE FORD WARRANTY AS I WAS CONFOUNDED THAT A TRUCK TRANSMISSION MIGHT FAIL AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE. 3-YEARS 16-DAYS 35,652 MILES LATER THIS FORD REMAN FORD INSTALLED TRANS ALSO FAILED AND FORD IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR COST OF REPAIR REPLACE, 16-DAYS BEYOND A 100% FREE REPLACEMENT. THE LOCAL DEALER QUOTED $4500 AND THE PREVIOUS DEALER (100 MILES AWAY) QUOTED THE SAME $3500. I OPTED FOR AAMCO AT $2500 AND 3-YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, SINCE FORD CAN'T RE-ENGINEER THEIR OWN TRANSMISSION TO LAST A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS JUST ON THE 2002 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION, AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS FOR 5R55W TRANSMISSION. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT FORD IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10560565January 19, 2014
WHEELS
I HAVE REPLACED 8 WHEEL BEARINGS ON THIS AUTO. 4-21-12 I WAS ON THE HWY TO THE NEAREST BIG CITY TOWING A BORROWED UTILITY TRAILER, WHICH IS 90 MILES FROM MY HOME, AND I AM SO FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT LOOSE MY WHEEL. AT THE TIME, I THOUGHT IT WAS MY NEW TIRES BUT WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER OF MY TIRES HE SHOWED ME THE PLAY THAT MY BACK WHEEL HAD AND TOLD ME I WAS A VERY LUCKY GIRL THAT MY TIRE DIDN'T SNAP OFF. FAST FORWARD AND I HAVE JUST REPLACED BOTH BACK WHEEL BEARING AGAIN WITH ONLY 23,000 MILES ON THE PREVIOUS REPLACED BEARING. 14,000 ON THE ONE BEFORE THAT! FORD YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559354January 10, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE THE ACCELERATOR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. THE RPM'S WERE IN THE RED AND NOTHING I DID WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I HAD TO APPLY BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PRESS AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND JAMMED THE TRUCK IN PARK AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559229January 9, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATION. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OD WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558331January 3, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, AND THEN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557460December 27, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION SEALS FELL OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY, TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556342December 17, 2013
POWER TRAIN, STEERING
YESTERDAY EVENING, I GOT INTO MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND NOTICED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS STUCK IN PARK. I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE IN ORDER TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THIS MORNING I FIGURED I WOULD GIVE IT ANOTHER ATTEMPT AS I NEEDED TO HEAD OUT FOR WORK. AS I TRIED AGAIN, I SIMPLY APPLIED THE BREAK, GRABBED THE SHIFT LEVER AND AS I PULLED THE TOWARDS ME AND BEGAN TO PULL DOWN TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE THE LEVER COMPLETELY BROKE AND IS NOW HANGING. I DID NOT APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE AT ANY POINT. NO MORE PRESSURE THEN I NORMALLY DO WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE TO REVERSE, ETC. I LOOKED UP THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION VIA INTERNET AND NOTICED MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME EXACT DESCRIPTION. HOPEFULLY FORD WILL RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A PART RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556182December 16, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED HE PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE WHEN THE GEAR ASSEMBLY DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE GEAR ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. DA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556010December 13, 2013
POWER TRAIN, STEERING
AS I WAS DRIVING IN SNOW, I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO GO AROUND ANOTHER CAR. WHEN I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I WAS STUCK IN MY CAR UNABLE TO SHIFT, IF I TURNED IT OFF I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. I HAD TO SIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT BACK INTO GEAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554309December 2, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAS A REAR HATCH THAT INCLUDES A GLASS SECTION THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO BE OPENED TO LOAD ITEMS INTO THE TRUNK AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THREE SEPARATE TIMES THE REAR WINDSHIELD HAS BLOWN OUT AS IT HAS BEEN OPENED / CLOSED. THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS MADE OF TEMPERED GLASS AND WHEN IT BREAKS IT EXPLODES INTO THE PERSON OPERATING THE WINDOW. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY INJURIES BESIDES A FEW SMALL CUTS, BUT HAVING GLASS EXPLODE INTO A PERSON IS DANGEROUS. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE THE GLASS WAS SIMPLY REPLACED. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE REAR GLASS WAS OPENED. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE, THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE GLASS WAS CLOSED. THE THIRD FAILURE OCCURRED 12/1/2013, IT HAS YET TO BE FIXED. THIS MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE GLASS WAS CLOSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10554241December 1, 2013
SUSPENSION
REAR SPRING BROKE ON LEFT SIDE, NOT EVEN RUSTED. CAR ONLY HAS 32000 MILES ON IT. HAVE BEEN SEEING THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL BUT NO RECALL WAS EVER INSTITUTED. A TRAVESTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554253December 1, 2013
ENGINE
WAS DRIVING CAR ALONG LOCAL ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE NOISE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MILES AND HOUR. MANY CARS SEVERED TO AVOID TRUCK AND WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO LOCAL FACILITY AND HAD FORD TECH LOOK AT VEHICLE. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSION BROKE. TECH AND DEALERSHIPS( CALLED TWO FOR QUOTES ) SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. AFTER FINDING OUT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE PULLED FOR REPAIR I HAD TO JUNK THE VEHICLE COULD NOT AFFORD REPAIR. THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE ANY TIME A VEHICLE BREAKS WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. IT IS ALSO A KNOW COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS THE DESIGN OF THE TENSION IS POORLY PRODUCED AND THEY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIR. FORD SHOULD FIX/ REPLACE THE TENSIONER ON THESE TRUCK BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554226November 30, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I CAN NOT DRIVE WITH ALL THE ALARMS AND LOCKS AND OVERHEAD LIGHT GOING OFF AND ON THE WHOLE TIME I'M DRIVING. IT IS TORTURE, LOUD AND SCARY!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552987November 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I BOUGHT THE 2002 EXPLORER NEW FROM A FORD DEALER. AT 86,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION PROVED TO BE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING $3,000. JUST TODAY 11/19/2013 AT 134,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN $4,200.00. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH HUNDREDS OF POSTING TELLING ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH FORD TRANSMISSIONS. HERE IS ONE SUCH SITES WEB ADDRESS: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/FORD-EXPLORER/TDMGQ44C3JTCJSR03/P26#LASTPOST FORD KNOWS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BUT REFUSES TO TAKE ACTION OTHER THEN PROFITING FROM CONTINUED SALES OF MORE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AND PARTS. I BOUGHT THE EXPLORER IN GOOD FAITH FOR ABOUT $31,000.00 AND WILL HAVE PAID $7,200.00 (APPROX 23%)IN TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS. THE DANGER HERE IS THAT THESE FORD TRANSMISSIONS COULD AND MAY ACTUALLY HAVE ALREADY SEIZE WHILE DRIVING THUS CAUSING UNTOLD SAFETY ISSUES. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS AND CREATE A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552208November 14, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS NOTICED AS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEIZED WITHIN MOMENTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH E MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551338November 7, 2013
SEATS
THE METAL BARS THAT HOLD THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551072November 6, 2013
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, STRUCTURE
WHEN I OPEN THE BACK GLASS WINDOW, ONE HINGE BROKE OFF. I TRY TO SET THE WINDOW, THE OTHER HINGE BROKE. I HAVE TO TIE A ROPE TO KEEP THE GLASS FROM FALLING OFF. *TR I FIND ON LINE THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2002 - 2003 FORD EXPLORER LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE AND STRUT BRACKETS, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD DEALER AND FORD COMPANY, THEY SAY MY VEHICLE VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. IF OTHER FORD EXPOLORERS ARE COVERED, WHY MY VIN IS NOT COVERED? IS IT BECAUSE THERE ARE FEWER FORD EXPLORER SPORT BUILT, AND LESS PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM? I THINK THE RECALL SHOULD EXPAND TO COVER ALL EXPLORER BUILD IN 2002 - 2003.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551075November 6, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW CANNOT BE OPENED AND THE ALARM SYSTEM ENGAGED ON ITS OWNS. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE DRIVERS DOOR ELECTRICAL SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548513October 19, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE
THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS A DESIGN FLAW SUCH THAT THE REAR PANEL CRACKS. WHEN MOISTURE GETS IN IT CAUSES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE SIX PROBLEMS EXPERIENCES ON THIS EXPLORER ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1) FALSE "DOOR AJAR" INDICATOR 2) REAR WINDOW WIPER NO LONGER WORKED 3) DEAD BATTERY 4) BACK-UP WARNING SIGNALS NO LONGER WORK 5) REAR WINDOW CAN NO LONGER OPEN 6) BRAKE LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. WE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547787October 13, 2013
POWER TRAIN
DRIVING FORWARD AT 20 MPH IN A TRAILER PARK WHEN OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD. WAS TOLD ITS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND THOUSANDS OF 02 EXPLORERS HAD THIS ISSUE. GARAGE WANTS 3500.00 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I CALLED FORD WHO HAD NO ANSWERS FOR ME AND WONT FIX EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW ITS A BIG ISSUE WITH THESE. THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS TO DATE. ALSO CLOCK SPRING JUST FAILED AND HORN STOPPED WORKING AND AIR AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Explorer